Glide handle training device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device in the form of a glide handle typically includes an elongated handle body, a strap or other suitable connecting member attaching the handle to a swivel, and a pulley assembly attached to the swivel. The pulley engages a cord which is attached to fixed objects or loads, and a user employs the handle to displace the cord. The combination of the swivel with the pulley allows the handle to be moved relative to the cord in a smooth continuous motion and in a plurality of directions. The glide handle may be used to strengthen and stretch a muscle, joint, or connective tissue, and to improve range of motion for joints. The device may be incorporated into fitness and physical therapy programs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to fitness devices and methods, and more specifically is a glide handle and methods of operating same.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no relevant related applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous exercise devices and physical therapy devices exist in which the user works against resistance to strengthen muscles, condition muscles, stretch muscles, exercise joints, and the like. There exists a need for improved handles for use when working against resistance while exercising.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a glide handle device and apparatus and methods utilizing the device. The glide handle includes an elongated handle body, a strap or other suitable connecting member attaching the handle to a swivel, and a pulley assembly attached to the swivel. The pulley engages a cord which is attached to fixed objects or loads, and a user employs the handle to displace the cord. The combination of the swivel with the pulley allows the handle to be moved relative to the cord in a smooth continuous motion and in a plurality of directions. The glide handle may be used to strengthen and stretch a muscle, joint, or connective tissue, and to improve range of motion for joints. The device may be incorporated into fitness and physical therapy programs.

These and other embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art when taken with reference to the following more detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are first briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the glide handle.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of the glide handle, and FIG. 2B shows a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a top plan view of an alternate design of the glide handle with integrated components, and FIG. 3B shows a sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternate design of the glide handle with flat surfaces on the handle.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the glide handle in use with a fixed mounting points installation.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the glide handle in use with a weight stack assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which identical reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the different figures. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selective embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, it can be seen that a glide handle 100 includes an elongated handle 101. The handle 101 can have any shape chosen by a user. In many cases, the handle 101 is cylindrical. In some cases, the handle 101 profile may be elliptical or have one or more flat areas. The handle 101 may have one or more indentations in an outer surface to accommodate one or more fingers of the user extending around a circumference of the handle. In some cases, the handle 101 can be sized appropriately in circumference and/or length for use by a certain user demographic, e.g., a circumferential dimension and/or length selected for a typical male or female, or adult or child.

The handle 101 optionally may include a grip at least partially covering the handle 101. In some cases, the grip may extend around the circumference of the handle 101. The grip may be made of any suitable material, have any suitable structure, and have many varied design features. Non-limiting examples of grip design features include grips that improve a user's ability to grip the handle (e.g., a rubbery or non-slip grip surface), grips that improve a user's comfort (e.g., a thick or padded grip), grips that improve aesthetics or marketability of the handle, and any combination of those features.

The handle 101 may also include a strap 108 to allow a user to more securely grip the handle 101.

A connecting member 102 attaches the handle 101 to a swivel 103. The connecting member 102 can be a flexible strap (e.g., fabric or rubber), or a substantially rigid member (e.g., plastic or metal). The connecting member 102 attaches to one or both ends of the handle 101. The connecting member 102 may be rigidly fixed to the handle 101 or rotatably coupled to the handle 101.

The swivel 103 rotatably couples the connecting member 102 to the housing 104 of a pulley assembly 105. The swivel 103 allows the handle 101 to rotate freely relative to the pulley assembly 105.

The pulley assembly 105 receives a cord 107. The pulley assembly 105 includes a pulley 105, a pulley housing 104, and an axle 106. In operation, the cord 107 is disposed on a circumferential surface of the pulley assembly 105. The pulley assembly 105 may be designed with a groove adapted to the profile of the cord 107 (e.g. round or flat grooves). The pulley 105 may rotate to allow translation of the cord 107 relative to the glide handle 101.

The cord 107 can have any suitable construction and any suitable mechanical properties. The cord 107 may be elastic or substantially non-elastic. The cord 107 may be round, rectangular, oval, or have any other cross section chosen by the user. The cord 107 can be solid or hollow.

The combination of the swivel 103 and the pulley assembly 105 with the handle 101 allows for a unique range of motion relative to the cord 107.

FIG. 2A shows another view of the glide handle 100. FIG. 2B shows a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2A. The connecting member 102 is shown to pass thru a hollow area of handle 101 and is thereby rotatably coupled to handle 101. Connecting member 102 is attached to swivel component 103 by way of a round post integrated into the swivel component. Swivel component 103 is rotatably coupled to pulley housing 104 by way of an axle fixed to swivel 103 engaged with a hole in pulley housing 104.

FIG. 3A illustrates another configuration of a glide handle 300. FIG. 3B shows a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3A. In this configuration, the handle 101, connecting member 102, and swivel 103 are all combined into an integral unit, alternate handle 301.

FIG. 4 shows a view of still another configuration of a glide handle 400. In this configuration, handle 401 includes flat surfaces for engaging a body part of a user such as the palm of a hand or the bottom of a foot. In addition, the handle 401 is rotatably coupled to a connecting member 402 to insure proper alignment of the body part with the flat surface of the handle during use.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an implementation of the glide handle 100 wherein the cord 107 is elastic and is affixed to a stationary object. FIG. 5A illustrates a start position wherein no force is yet exerted on the cord 107 by the handle 101. The length of the cord 107 can be chosen to be of sufficient length to provide whatever range of motion is desired by the user. Each end of the elastic cord 107 is anchored to one or more fixed structures by anchoring points 502, 502′ such that the cord is held substantially straight between the anchoring points 502, 502′. It should be understood that anchoring points 502, 502′ may be displaced in any direction. (e.g. the anchoring points may be on the floor, wall, or ceiling or may be displaced horizontally or vertically) The distance between the anchoring points 502, 502′ may also be adjusted to preload tension in the cord.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the user displaces the glide handle 100 perpendicular to the axis of the cord 107, the tension in the elastic cord 107 is increased thus creating a resistance exercise. In addition, the handle 101 may be moved in a plurality of directions (as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 5B), both vertically and horizontally. These movements can be choreographed by a user into exercises which target specific muscles and joints. The ability of the cord 107 to rotate on the pulley 105 ensures that the tension on the cord 107 is uniform, which allows a unique range of motion relative to the load on the handle 101. Furthermore, the ability of the handle 101 to rotate relative to the cord 107 by way of the swivel 103 allows the user to vary his grip position which can create unique exercise options and/or mitigate awkward grip positions.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another implementation of the glide handle 100 utilizing a weight stack assembly 600. In this implementation, the cord 604 is anchored to a fixed mount 607 at a first end. The cord 604 engages with the pulley 105 on the glide handle 100 assembly. The cord 604 passes over a weight stack pulley 605 (which rotates on a fixed axle 606). A second end of the cord 604 is affixed to a variable weight stack 602. The weight stack 602 includes a movable pin 603 whose variable position determines what portion of the weight stack 602 that will be lifted when the glide handle 100 assembly is pulled so as to displace the cord 604. FIG. 6A shows the starting configuration prior to displacement whereas FIG. 6B shows the configuration after displacement of the glide handle 100 assembly. Similar to the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, movements can be choreographed into specific exercises as desired by the user.

The glide handle as described herein may be used in a variety of exercise programs and physical therapy treatments to rehabilitate weak muscles, strengthen muscles, stretch muscles and/or connective tissues, to regain joint function, to exercise joints, to stretch tissues surrounding joint, to strengthen muscles surrounding joints, and to restore balance. The glide handle may be used in a variety of configurations and motions that will enable the user to isolate or concentrate on specific muscles, muscle groups, or joints. In some cases, two handles may be operated on a single cord. In other cases, the user may use two glide handles mounted next to each other to create exercises using coordinated motion of both arms, such as cross-country skiing or swimming. The glide handle may also be strapped to a foot or leg to allow a user to exercise leg muscles or leg joints, or strapped to a wrist or arm to allow a user to exercise arm muscles or arm or shoulder joints without the use of hands.

The ends of the cord may be configured to be more easily anchored to fixed objects or loads. (e.g. carabiners attached to ends of the cord)

This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting. Further modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A glide handle comprising: an elongated handle; a connecting member in communication with both the handle and a swivel component; a pulley assembly connected to the swivel component, the pulley assembly comprising a pulley housing, an axle, and a pulley; an elastic cord disposed on a circumferential surface of the pulley; such that during operation both ends of the elastic cord are anchored to separate points of fixed structures; resistance is increased as the handle is pulled away from the elastic cord; the swivel allows rotation of the handle relative to the pulley; and the pulley rotates to allow the elastic cord to travel along the circumferential surface of the pulley with minimal friction.
 2. The glide handle of claim 1, wherein the handle is rotatably coupled to the connecting member.
 3. The glide handle of claim 1, wherein the handle has at least one flat surface.
 4. The glide handle of claim 1, wherein the pulley comprises a circumferential groove that in operation receives the elastic cord.
 5. The glide handle of claim 1, wherein the elastic cord has a solid round cross-section.
 6. The glide handle of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a flat surface.
 7. The glide handle of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a grip that at least partially covers the handle body.
 8. The glide handle of claim 1, wherein a strap is provided on the handle body to secure the handle to a limb or other appendage of a user.
 9. A glide handle comprising: an elongated handle; a connecting member that connects the handle and a swivel component; a pulley assembly connected to the swivel component, the pulley assembly comprising a pulley housing, an axle, and a pulley; a substantially inelastic cord disposed on a circumferential surface of the pulley; such that during operation: a first end of the cord is anchored to a fixed structure; a second end of the cord is anchored to a load such that resistance is created when the handle is pulled, the swivel allowing rotation of the handle relative to the pulley, and the pulley rotating so that the cord travels through a central bore of the pulley with minimal friction.
 10. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein the handle is rotatably coupled to the connecting member.
 11. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein the handle has a flat surface.
 12. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein the pulley comprises a circumferential groove that receives the cord.
 13. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein the cord has a solid round cross-section.
 14. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein the handle body has a flat surface.
 15. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein the handle body comprises a grip that covers at least a portion of the handle body.
 16. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein a strap is provided on the handle body to secure the handle to a limb or other appendage of a user.
 17. The glide handle of claim 9, wherein the load is variable. 